Typically, a whiteboard interview is where a panel of experienced tech recruiters will test your technical and coding knowledge. They will ask you to solve a problem by writing code on a whiteboard or similar, while they observe your process, your methodology and reasoning.

Brainstorming is a method design teams use to generate ideas to solve clearly defined design problems. In controlled conditions and a free-thinking environment, teams approach a problem by such means as “How Might We” questions. They produce a vast array of ideas and draw links between them to find potential solutions.

10 Steps to Leading a Brainstorming Session that Works

1. Handpick the participants. Be strategic about who you invite to the brainstorm.
2. Share the background.
3. Assign prep work.
4. Motivate with sweets.
5. Begin with the objective.
6. Appoint a scribe.
7. Visualize the ideas.
8. Engage everyone.

15 to 45 minutes

How to Lead Whiteboard Sessions

1. Keep the Participants Focused During Whiteboard Brainstorming Sessions.
2. Set Up a ‘Parking Lot’ for Rogue Ideas From Brainstorming Sessions.
3. Make Sure Participants Use Individual Screens for Digital Whiteboard Sessions.
4. Use Visuals as Well as Text.
5. Organize Your Whiteboard Effectively.

Our quick guide to improving your whiteboard writing is an easy route to more readable board work! PRINT! Never use cursive on a whiteboard. Stick with clearly defined separated letters and focus on making them more distinct than you ever would on paper, even if you were printing.

Using a cotton pad or swab, apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to the board where permanent marks are present. As noted above, hand sanitizer or nail polish remover containing alcohol will also work for this purpose. Using your chosen substance, rub away the unwanted ink with circular or back and forth motions.

Here’s how to use this whiteboard organization method:

1. Create columns with specific time frames.
2. Write down all your tasks/priorities under the correct time frame.
3. Write due dates beside each of your tasks.
4. As time goes by, move tasks to the correct time frame.
5. Grab the necessary tools.

Whiteboard surfaces are made of durable porcelain or vinyl, but over time they become scratched and discolored. Instead of replacing the whiteboard, you can resurface it for much cheaper. Resurfacing is a project that you can do on your own with a few supplies from the local hardware store.

The whiteboard cannot be restored by conventional means. It may be possible to sand out the scratches using a very fine-grit sandpaper, then repaint using white dry-erase board paint; or ;buy a dry-erase “film” sheet that would fit over the existing board.

Do not use:

• Any standard kitchen or bathroom cleaner, industrial cleaner, or solution containing isopropanol alcohol.
• Coarse or granular cloth like paper towels and toilet paper.

Ghosting is when the surface of a whiteboard/ whiteboard wall won’t fully erase, leaving behind stains and stray marks which can make your whiteboard look dirty or make it hard to read.

To get rid of ghosting, wipe the board with a cloth dipped in a mix of isopropyl alcohol and water — the most effective whiteboard cleaner.

Use water or common household glass cleaners. Can you use Windex® to clean a dry erase board? Yes, products such as Windex® are recommended for cleaning a whiteboard. Never use scouring pads or abrasive cleaners, as those can ruin the dry erase surface.

Clean and wipe the board.

• Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.
• Hand sanitizer.
• Acetone or nail polish remover that contains acetone.
• Water mixed with several drops of dish soap.
• Orange cleaners (such as Goo Gone and Fantastik)
• Glass cleaner.
• Baby wipes.
• Pam or other spray cooking oils.

Do not use glass cleaner, Clorox® wipes, or all-purpose cleaners as they will damage the whiteboard surface and void the warranty. The surface should be cleaned only with dry erase wipes, liquid board cleaner, or a damp wet cloth. Abrasives or other chemical cleansers should not be used.

How to Clean a Dry Erase Board

1. Use a fresh dry erase marker to write over top of the stains, covering them completely.
2. Wait a few seconds for the marker to dry.
3. Wipe away all marks with a cloth or felt eraser.
4. The dry erase ink will lift away the permanent ink.